Lillian Vatulko

I attribute my success to my ability to transform adversity into purpose. I refuse to be defined by the trauma I have experienced or by the difficult circumstances many women unfortunately face. Instead, I choose to use those experiences as a source of strength, growth, and inspiration to help others. If sharing my journey can prevent even one or two people from experiencing what I went through or help someone begin their own healing process, then I believe my trauma has served a greater purpose.

The best career advice I have received is to never allow fear to make decisions for me. After experiencing a period in my life when many choices were taken away from me, I learned to value independence and intentional decision-making. Every new skill, certification, book, and career opportunity is a step toward creating the life I choose. I have also learned that I do not have to figure everything out alone; seeking out resources, mentorship, training, and community can open doors and create opportunities. Most importantly, I believe my past does not have to define my future. My experiences have given me knowledge, perspective, and a desire to advocate for others, and I strive to turn what I have overcome into something that can empower someone else to find their voice and pursue their own path.

The advice I would give to young women entering my industry is to never let fear or obstacles stop you from pursuing what you want. There will always be challenges, people who doubt your abilities, and moments when you may doubt yourself, but you cannot allow those things to make your decisions for you. Push through the fear, take the opportunity, and give it your best effort. The worst outcome may be hearing “no” or discovering that something does not work out, but at least you will know you tried, learned from the experience, and gave yourself the opportunity to succeed.

The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field are closely connected. As an author and advocate, one challenge I have encountered is the stigma surrounding survivors, particularly the belief that if someone has experienced trauma or spent time in an institution or group setting, they must somehow be responsible for what happened to them. I believe we need to continue challenging those assumptions and creating spaces where women feel heard, supported, and empowered. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity in the growing number of organizations supporting women who want to enter the skilled trades. Programs that provide free training, recertification, mentorship, and career development can help women overcome barriers and build meaningful, independent careers.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are advocacy and compassion. I believe that too often, victims are not given a voice or taken seriously, which can make them feel that their experiences do not matter or that they are not worthy of being heard. I want to challenge that mindset by creating space for people to feel seen, respected, and supported. Everyone deserves to know that their story has value, their voice matters, and they are worthy of being listened to and receiving the help they need.